page_title: Inverkip
section_title: Ardgowan
hierarchical_section_title: Inverkip / History / Ardgowan
caption_attribution_description: English: Ardgowan House with the Firth of Clyde beyond. Viewed from Bargane Hill.
context_page_description: Inverkip is a village and parish in the Inverclyde council area and historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland, 4 miles southwest of Greenock and 9 miles north of Largs on the A78 trunk road. The village takes its name from the River Kip. It is served by Inverkip railway station.
context_section_description: By the 13th century, a castle had been built at what is now Ardgowan House. This early castle changed hands between the Scots and the English during the Wars of Independence. Robert The Bruce fought here for both sides during this period. The land was acquired by the Stewarts in 1390 and they built the existing castle during the 15th century. Contained in the gardens of Ardgowan House and away from the public eye, it consists of a three-storey square keep with a garret. The main entrance is at first floor level and is accessed by an external stairway. The castle was abandoned as a residence when Ardgowan House was built by the Shaw-Stewarts in 1799–1801. Following construction of Ardgowan House, the first proper road to Greenock was constructed by Sir John Shaw Stewart and opened in 1803.
  Ardgowan House served as a military hospital during both world wars and has the distinction of being the first Scottish military hospital to be damaged by German bombs. The damage was slight and no casualties were recorded, but many windows at the house were smashed.
caption: Ardgowan House with the Firth of Clyde beyond. Viewed from Bargane Hill.
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